Unnecessary through traffic would be cut back but some private cars will still be able to use York’s first sustainable transport corridor.
A City of York Council meeting today (Tuesday) heard more details about the £2.2m plans for the corridor, running from the city’s railway station to Tower Street.
Aimed at improving bus services, the scheme could free up space for new green spaces and seating, as well as see bus stops improved and pavements widened.
Ruling Labour’s transport lead Cllr Kate Ravilious said detailed proposals for the scheme, which mainly aims to improve bus reliability, would now go out for consultation.
The project covers the route which runs from York Station via Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, over the Ouse Bridge to Clifford Street and Tower Street.
A council report stated the George Hudson Street, Micklegate and Ouse Bridge part of the route was among the top 20 per cent most congested in the local bus network.
Issues along the route include buses being delayed at traffic lights, negotiating tight turns and traffic at the High Ousegate-Low Ousegate junction and the exit from Coppergate to Clifford Street.
Buses also face further delays when exiting Skeldergate onto Skeldergate Bridge and the width of pavements elsewhere means there is limited space or no waiting areas at some stops.
People walking, cycling or travelling by wheelchair along the route also face issues including narrow pavements, a lack of crossings and limited road space for bikes.
The report stated several options were being considered for the route to overcome the challenge of not having enough space to implement dedicated bus lanes.
Cllr Ravilious told the meeting no final proposals had been agreed to and the scheme aimed to reduce unnecessary through traffic but it would not completely stop private vehicle access.
The sustainable transport corridor aims to reduce bus journey times by an average of three minutes along the route by July 2026.
Objectives include improving bus punctuality to 97 per cent between Rougier Street and Stonebow by July 2027.
Aims also include increasing the number of pedestrians and wheelchair users by 10 per cent and cyclists by 20 per cent on the Ouse Bridge from this year to 2027.
Consultation to start
Objectives include improving bus punctuality to 97 per cent between Rougier Street and Stonebow by July 2027.
Aims also include increasing the number of pedestrians and wheelchair users by 10 per cent and cyclists by 20 per cent on the Ouse Bridge from this year to 2027.
A consultation on outline proposals is proposed for May to July, followed by the drawing up of detailed designs in the autumn with works underway at the start of 2026.
Doreen Magill, of the York Bus Forum, told the meeting the current emphasis of services running to time was also causing delays, with some facing lengthy layovers.
She added the council needed to reach out to as many people as possible to ensure the consultation is as effective as possible.
Tony May, York Civic Trust’s transport lead, said the scheme had the potential to benefit major developments like Castle Gateway and York Central.
York Cycle Campaign’s Andy Shrimpton said they welcomed action after years pro-cycling rhetoric, adding the city could not continue to keep accommodating for increasing private car use.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton said the council should avoid making traffic worse elsewhere.
He said the project should be delivered alongside other improvements including those to the Outer Ring Road to draw cars out of the city centre.
Cllr Ravilious said it would bring improvements that would benefit bus users in York and beyond.
She added the upcoming consultation would seek to get people’s views on other potential uses of the highway where changes allow.
The executive member said: “We as a council are paying subsidies to the tune of more than £3.5m to keep buses running and one of the reasons they’re not running reliably is because of delays along this corridor.
“This will make transport better for everyone and it could bring additional benefits like improved bus stops along with allowing alternative uses for the highway such as pavement cafés.”